Tranmere Rovers
First Team Pre-Season Begins at Lairds and Heswall
By Deadly Submarine
July 13 2009
The 2009-10 pre-season campaign gets underway for Rovers’ first team squad on Tuesday night as friendly games away against both Cammell Laird and Heswall take place on the same night with both games kicking off at 7.00pm. Here we bring you a brief preview of both games…
Following on from this site's exclusive match report on Rovers youngsters, who opened their pre-season campaign last Friday night with a 2-2 draw away at Holyhead Hotspur, it's time for the first team (probably helped out by some of the youngsters), to achieve their own good start to pre-season with games away at both Cammell Laird and Heswall on the same night on Tuesday evening with both games kicking off at 7.00pm.
Total Tranmere is led to believe that the main big players in next season's squad will be at Kirklands Stadium for the annual game against Cammell Laird whilst a more inexperienced side is expected to turn out at Heswall's Gayton Park, another regular pre-season haunt for Rovers.
Whilst the final squads for the two games may not be known until the kick-offs approach, there is sure to be many Rovers fans out in force to see the new faces that have already signed up with Rovers for the 2009/10 League One campaign.
Rovers Travel to Gayton Park Heswall at 7.00pm
Alan Mahon, Paul McLaren and John Welsh have been signed in the past week by new Manager John Barnes and Mark Allott is another new face who was signed by Ronnie Moore prior to his shock departure from the club in June. All are expected to feature in one game or the other and it will be good to once again see Paul McLaren and Alan Mahon in a Rovers shirt.
The one question on the mind of every Rovers fan in the build up to the two games is who will appear in goal following the departures of both Danny Coyne and John Achterberg over the summer. Only second year scholar Joe Collister and first year Andrew Coughlin are surely available for the two fixtures unless any trialists turn up between the posts on the evening of the game but either way both games are sure to be interesting indeed.
Last season Rovers played both Lairds and Heswall in pre-season although not on the same night as is the case this year. The Lairds game was in fact moved from a Saturday to a Tuesday night after Rovers were handed the opportunity to host Liverpool at Prenton Park on the day the Lairds game should have taken place.
Against Heswall last season, a strong looking Rovers side fell behind from a free-kick after 19 minutes but came back to draw level at half-time thanks to George O'Callaghan. Heswall took the lead again from the penalty spot just five minutes into the second half but a blitz of goals from Rovers thereafter saw them run out 6-2 winners with Gareth Edds (x3), Steve Jennings and Chris Greenacre all on target.
At Lairds last time out, a reserve Rovers side needed a brace from Rovers' new central defender Luke Waterfall to ensure a 2-2 draw after the non-league hosts had taken a third minute lead which they held right through to half-time. Luke Waterfall headed Rovers' equaliser but the home side took the lead again before Waterfall again headed in with eight minutes to go to earn the draw.
Ticket Information
Cammell Laird
Adults: £8.00 Concessions: £5.00
NOTE: Above Admission Prices given to Tranmere Rovers by Cammell Laird FC but Cammell Laird FC Official Website is now reporting Adults - £5.00 Concessions - £3.00.
Heswall
To Be Confirmed
Getting to Kirklands Stadium (Lairds)
Kirklands is situated just off the B5136 new Chester Road between Rock Ferry and New Ferry.
If approaching from the Birkenhead direction through Rock Ferry:
Head towards New Ferry on the B5136 until you see the Tyre Garage and Bus Depot on the left hand side of the road. Just before the Tyre Garage, turn left into Rock Lane East and then take the first right into St Peter's Road.
The Ground is on the right hand side and parking is available on St Peter's Road. There is also some limited parking in the Social Club which is on the left hand side a bit further down the road.
If approaching from Bromborough and New Ferry:
After passing a Chip Shop and another shop together on the left, turn right onto Procter Road and then left into St Peter's Road. The Social Club is on the right as you turn into the road and the Ground is a bit further up on the left hand side. Street parking is available in St Peter's Road.
If you miss the turning for Procter Road, the next turning on the right immediately after the Bus Depot and Tyre Garage is Rock Lane East so after turning into this road, follow the instructions if travelling from Birkenhead (above).
Getting to Gayton Park (Heswall)
From Birkenhead:
Approaching Heswall from Barnston Road, turn left at the junction of Brimstage Road and then take the first right which leads to the Stadium.
From Chester:
Approaching Heswall from Chester High Road, travel to Gayton roundabout then turn onto Brimstage Road then take the first right you will reach the Gayton Roundabout (which has the Devon Doorway and Glegg Arms Pubs on it). At this roundabout, turn right onto Brimstage Road and then take the first right to the Stadium (which is situated just behind the Glegg Arms Pub).
From West Kirby/Hoylake:
After travelling through Heswall Town Centre along Telegraph Road you will reach the Gayton Roundabout (which has the Devon Doorway and Glegg Arms Pubs on it). At this roundabout, turn left onto Brimstage Road and then take the first right to the Stadium (which is situated just behind the Glegg Arms Pub).
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
13/07/2009 19:08
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
